Folk-Dance: a glimpse into what makes us Human

Photo by Pindi Setiawan for Smithsonian Magazine

Dance is an ancient and deeply human activity. Dancing figures appear in Borneo cave paintings from 20,000 years ago, pre-dating agriculture and the domestication of animals.

Photo courtesy Narodni Muzej Slovenije

Music is even older: a 60,000-year-old flute made from the thigh-bone of a cave bear by Neanderthals was found in a cave in Slovenia. After hunting, dancing to music may be the oldest group activity created […]

By SIFD|2020-10-28T17:13:04-07:00October 28th, 2020|Photo, Reflections, Report|0 Comments

Dance in the time of COVID

According to the Berkeley Wellness Journal , dancing provides physical, psychological, and social benefits galore, so put on your dancing shoes and follow along.

Studies have shown improvements in balance, gait, walking speed, and reaction time, as well as cognitive and fine motor performance.

Dancing may also be good for your mood. It has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress and boost self-esteem, body image, coping ability, and overall sense of well-being, with the benefits lasting over time.

By SIFD|2024-10-22T13:35:48-07:00October 28th, 2020|News, Photo, Reflections, Report|0 Comments

Dance, Dance, Dance. It May Help Prevent Falls.

Older adults who engaged in ballroom dancing, folk dancing and other dance styles were less likely to fall than those who walked or did other exercises.

By Nicholas Bakalar
Published Oct. 14, 2020
Updated Oct. 20, 2020

Dancing may help prevent falls in the elderly, a review of studies suggests. And the more older people danced, the better.

Researchers combined data from 29 controlled trials in healthy people over 65 of “dance-based mind-motor activities” involving coordinated upright movements, structured through music or rhythm, with distinctive choreography and interactions with other people — in other words, dancing. The studies […]

By SIFD|2020-10-20T21:57:56-07:00October 20th, 2020|News|0 Comments

Children should dance more

Dance can play a useful role even in preventing mental problems and social exclusion among children and teenagers.

Schoolchildren should dance more in schools, say researchers

News & Research Article by Colin Hill of UKEdChat

The latest research findings and Finland’s core curriculum encourage children to get off their desks and learn through physical activity and movement, but the process of adopting the new methods in practice is still in the early stages at schools.

It has become a global problem that not just adults, but children, too, are less and less physically active. Many children all over the world do not follow the national […]

By SIFD|2024-05-19T12:45:30-07:00December 8th, 2019|News|0 Comments

ArtsScene – Melanie Minty – 2019-08-23

See PDF here: 2019-08-23-Minty-SIFD-Article-archive.pdf

The article was published online with many more photos!

By SIFD|2019-09-02T15:27:18-07:00August 31st, 2019|Uncategorized|0 Comments

8th International Showcase coming up in May

See anyone familiar in the poster?
See poster here.

By SIFD|2018-04-04T22:34:56-07:00April 4th, 2018|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Demonstration at Amenida Residence

Fantastic Dance Demonstration at Amenida Residence on Friday!

By SIFD|2017-11-21T23:27:17-08:00November 21st, 2017|Photo|0 Comments

Excellent Participation at Greek Festival 2017

Excellent dancing and food at the Surrey Greek Food Festival on Saturday, June 10!

By SIFD|2017-06-11T12:38:54-07:00June 11th, 2017|News, Photo, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Forest Retreat in SFDH Report to Members

In Volume 28, Number 1, Report to Members, of the Society of Folk Dance Historians, at March 15, 2017.

By SIFD|2017-03-29T17:07:05-07:00March 29th, 2017|Uncategorized|0 Comments

San Antonio dancers bonded by dance

Above: Bata Marcetic teaches Serbian dance.
Andy Taylor-Blenis: “dance isn’t just a way to connect cultures, but also opens a space for people who don’t quite fit in”